Editorial: Remembering one who served

Clayton Carpenter could have done anything. The former Cortlandt resident and Lakeland High School alumnus had talked about working in the medical field. He decided to serve his country and fly Black Hawk helicopters. Carpenter, an Army captain and U.S. Military Academy graduate, died Wednesday, during a training run. His service to our nation must be honored and always remembered.

The 31-year-old had served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The special operations helicopter platoon leader was killed when his MH-60 Black Hawk made a hard landing, at the end of a training flight at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Ga.

Two other crew members on board were injured, according to U.S. Army officials. Carpenter was a member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, out of Fort Campbell, Ky. Their assignment: to fly helicopters behind enemy lines under cover of darkness.

Carpenter had been a track standout at Lakeland, twice serving as a team captain. He delivered a student commencement address during his 2001 Lakeland graduation.

After his acceptance to West Point, Carpenter told The Journal News: "I'm completely aware that I could end up in a war. I'm OK with that." That was in May 2001, just months before 9/11.

'Exceptional young man'

"He was an exceptional young man. He could have done anything," Lakeland history teacher and track coach Maureen McArdle O'Donnell told The Journal News.

Carpenter chose helicopter pilot and service to his country. We mourn his loss and are grateful for his service.